Flu Shots Available beginning Monday

Flu shots will be available beginning Monday, Galveston County Health District officials said.

Anyone who wants to reduce his chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated, district officials said in a news release. However, certain people should make the effort to get vaccinated each year.

Priority groups include people 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, people with chronic health conditions, children ages 6 months to 23 months, pregnant women, healthcare workers who provide direct patient care and caregivers of children less than 6 months old.

“Getting vaccinated, especially for those in high-risk populations, is the best prevention,” said Mark Guidry, director of the health district. “Although the flu itself typically lasts only a week or two, it can lead to more serious illness such as pneumonia, especially for the elderly and people with other health problems.”

Influenza, or flu, is a viral respiratory illness marked by a sudden onset of fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat or stuffy nose and muscle aches. The illness is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, sending the virus into the air.

In addition to getting a flu shot, some common-sense precautions can also prevent the spread of the flu, said Dana Beckham, chief epidemiologist for the health district.

“People should avoid close contact and practice respiratory etiquette such as covering your mouth when you cough and covering your nose when you sneeze,” she said.

Beckham also stresses the importance of hand washing.

“People should wash their hands often for 15 to 20 seconds with soap and water,” she said. “If that is not available use a hand-sanitizing gel. We can’t stress enough the importance of hand washing to prevent the spread of illness.”

Flu Shots

Galveston County residents can obtain flu vaccinations starting Monday:

• Health District Headquarters, 1207 Oak Street, La Marque, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
  
• Galveston Immunization Clinic, 4700 Broadway, Galveston, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
  
  Information: www.gchd.org or (409) 938-2201.

Read the press release